Dodgers' Yasiel Puig mum on chronicled journey to U.S.

Apr. 15, 2014
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Yasiel Puig was smuggled into Mexico by members of a drug cartel who cut a deal with a Miami businessman. / Mark J. Rebilas, USA TODAY Sports

by Jorge L. Ortiz, USA TODAY Sports

by Jorge L. Ortiz, USA TODAY Sports

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SAN FRANCISCO â?? Yasiel Puig has long remained silent regarding the details of his defection from Cuba, and that didn't change when news reporters approached him before the Los Angeles Dodgers took on the San Francisco Giants on Tuesday.

He declined to talk to them.

But there's a lot more information publicly available about Puig's departure now, and the account as told by LA Magazine's Jesse Katz is both fascinating and disturbing.

In a thoroughly reported story that required trips to Cuba, Arizona and Florida, Katz tells how Puig was smuggled into Mexico by members of a drug cartel who cut a deal with a Miami businessman â?? described as "a small-time crook'' â?? who was promised 20 percent of Puig's future earnings.

The story, based on interviews and court records, also delves into the accusations that Puig snitched on potential defectors to the Cuban government, for which he has been sued in the U.S. The lawsuit is pending.

Dodgers manager Don Mattingly said he had not read the lengthy story, but had heard snippets about it.

"We're on the baseball side of it,'' Mattingly said. "I don't know what went on or how it happened. I don't know if the article knows what happened, because I haven't heard Yasiel say anything about it. I don't think it's my place to talk about it.''

Puig became an overnight sensation last season with his daredevil playing style and abundant skills, which sparked life into the Dodgers and helped them go from a last-place team when he arrived in June to the NL West champions.

He also has run into trouble off the field with two speeding arrests, and twice he has been benched for arriving late to the ballpark, including before this season's home opener.

Mattingly said he does not feel Puig is at risk despite the questionable associations mentioned in the story, and believes his performance has not been affected by any turmoil surrounding him.

"He hasn't changed since he's been here,'' Mattingly said. "He's still Yasiel, the same kind of kid the whole time. Hopefully from our standpoint, baseball-wise he's getting better all the time.''